Before signing an executive order laying out his emergency plans, Graham inspected the remains of a giant algal bloom that threatened the lake`s health two weeks ago.

Excessive phosphorus and other nutrients in agricultural waste waters have left the lake susceptible to destructive algal blooms.

The August bloom of a blue-green algae turned 100 square miles of the lake into a pea-green soup and temporarily created a foul-smelling, lifeless zone of 6 square miles where dying algae consumed virtually all available oxygen from the water.

Graham, in town to celebrate the third anniversary of the state`s Save Our Everglades plan, said the bloom may have long-term benefits by spurring the government into fast action to reduce the nutrient overloads.

``We may have gotten a good birthday present in the form of the algae bloom. It certainly dramatized the state of ill health of Lake Okeechobee and brought us to a sense of urgency for action,`` Graham said.

Graham declared the lake crisis the state`s top priority for the final months of his administration. His newly established plan had the state`s sharpest Lake Okeechobee critics -- South Florida fishermen and statewide environmental leaders -- singing praises.

At the heart of his plan are short-term emergency efforts to remove even small amounts of phosphorus from the lake while the state hastens to accomplish a recently prepared long-term program to keep it out of the lake.

To dramatize his plan, Graham used a heavy, four-pronged potato rake to yank 10 gallons of phosphorus-eating aquatic weeds from the lake.

He imposed a 30-day moratorium on using chemical sprays to kill the floating weeds, mainly hydrilla and hyacinths. During the monthlong period, state officials will finalize a plan to physically harvest the channel-clogging plants.

An acre of aquatic weeds holds about 180 pounds of phosphorus, he said. The spray kills the weeds, but the phosphorus is returned to the lake as the plants decompose.

He challenged fishermen and boaters to follow his example by pulling weeds from the lake, and promised to make available state-owned lands for the disposal of the weeds.

The cost of disposal of harvested hyacinths has led state and regional agencies to favor the less expensive spray programs.

Other directives in Graham`s executive order included:

-- The state Department of Environmental Regulation will strengthen its permitting controls over agricultural operations in the lake area by next May.

-- DER will bring all private and public backpumping stations on the lake`s south end under permit review or file enforcement actions against pump owners in 30 days.

-- The South Florida Water Management District and the state Department of Agriculture are requested to finalize a cost-share program with dairy and beef ranchers on the lower Kissimmee River to reduce phosphorus-laden drainage by Oct. 1.

-- The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission was asked to immediately intensify removal of non-game fish, which absorb phosphorus.

To save the lake, phosphorus intake must be reduced by 250 tons a year, according to scientific estimates.

Charles Lee, executive vice president of Florida Audubon Society, said he was pleased to see the governor order tougher use of regulatory powers against agriculture.

Fishermen said they were especially pleased to see the physical weed removal plan.

``I`m ecstatic,`` said angler Scott Driver of Okeechobee.

West Palm Beach fisherman Wayne Nelson, a strident critic in recent months, stood and applauded at the end of Graham`s speech.

Richard Coleman, of the Florida Sierra Club, said Graham`s action would make it virtually impossible for the governor`s successor to stifle the Lake Okeechobee program.

``If (the next governor) tries to undo what`s going on with the lake, he`s going to have to face the largest, highest density population in the state: southeast Florida, which depends on the lake for drinking water. I think that alone will stop him,`` said Coleman.

He added, ``If it doesn`t, then the combined interests of conservation, agriculture and commerce, which also are dependent on lake water quality, water quantity and wildlife habitat, will stop him.``

Florida will elect a new governor in November, when Graham challenges U.S. Sen. Paula Hawkins for her seat.

Graham took a boat tour of a 12-mile section of the Kissimmee River that is being restored in an experimental project, then flew by helicopter over the rest of the river and over a north end algal bloom remnant on the lake. He then cruised the same area of the lake in a pontoon boat for a closer inspection and to harvest some weeds.

Driver on Friday criticized the governor`s latest Save Our Everglades report card in which the state`s lake-saving effort scored a nine out of a possible 10.

``For the year past, I`d still give him a four. But if the things he`s recommended and directed today take place, I`d give him a perfect 10 next year,`` he said Saturday.